Happy National Peanut Butter Day😋
Intro – Where did it all begin?
When Marcellus Gilmore Edson first patented peanut butter in 1884, he probably didn’t realize it would become a taste sensation that would over the years sweep the United States, Canada and many other countries around the world.
One popular theory suggests a resident of New York, Rose Davis started making peanut butter.
Other historians maintain that a Canadian chemist named Gilmore Edson filed the first patent for his ‘peanut candy.’
Nutrition Information
Peanut butter is a protein-packed spread popular around the world. It’s made of ground peanuts — often roasted first — blended into a thick paste.
The final product contains a range of nutrients that may offer health-boosting benefits. However, it’s important to check the label when buying peanut butter. Many brands today add ingredients like sugar, vegetable oil, and trans fats that can reduce its nutritional value.
Natural peanut butter is available at health food stores and specialty grocers, and can be easily found online. Look for a product that contains no additives other than a little salt.
You can also make peanut butter at home by blending peanuts in a food processor until you reach your desired texture.
A quarter-cup of peanuts (the approximate amount in a 2 tablespoon serving of peanut butter) contains:
- Calories: 207
- Protein: 9 grams
- Fat: 18 grams
- Carbohydrates: 6 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Sugar: 1 gram
Potential Health Benefits of Peanut Butter
Improved Heart Health
Reduced Risk of Diabetes
Anticancer Properties
Aid in Weight Management
Healthier Alternatives
Many nuts have a similar nutrient profile to peanuts, but some offer a better source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. These alternatives may also be suitable for people with peanut allergies, although you should talk to your doctor to make sure a nut butter is safe for you.
Nut butters that may be healthier alternatives to peanut butter include:
Almond Butter
Almonds have the highest concentration of nutrients per ounce. They also contain omega-3s, which peanuts lack.
Macadamia Nut Butter
While they contain more calories than peanuts, macadamias have the highest amount of healthy fats of any nut. One study found that its nutrients may help prevent coronary artery disease.
Walnut Butter
Walnuts are a great source of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and contain less fat and calories than peanuts.
Read more
Sources:
- Featured photo by Freddy G on Unsplash
- Photo by Connor Danylenko
